Amid the debate over whether to renovate the Dean E. Smith Center or build a new arena for the North Carolina basketball program, the university has one major priority: the student section.
Improving student seating and game-day atmosphere is critical to the future of Carolina basketball as the university aims to recreate the loud, intimate feel of Carmichael Arena by bringing more students closer to the court while balancing revenue, donor needs, access and overall student engagement.
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“We think it’s important to the overall atmosphere of the entire arena,” UNC executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark said on the Carolina Insider podcast. “We believe we can bring students closer to the field than currently possible without jeopardizing the revenue opportunities we create in new or refurbished sports venues.”
Newmark recalls attending games at Carmichael Stadium and hopes to recreate that loud, intimate, 9,000 to 10,000-seat environment in a renovated or new stadium.
“There’s nothing better than being close to the court and being loud. I’m an out-of-state student and I had never been to a Carolina basketball game before coming to Carolina,” said Devin Duncan, student body president-elect. “One of my favorite experiences was when it was snowing and the university required open seating. Seeing people running so close to the court, I remember saying, ‘Almost as loud as a Duke game.’ The energy was unprecedented.”
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Newmark said as plans continue to take shape and leaders consider next steps, the stadium’s design must extend beyond the seats themselves to the students’ entire game-day journey.
“Wherever we end up going, we have to make sure we have a good transportation plan, adequate parking, good access and good foot traffic,” Newmark said. “All of this feeds into what Devin calls the experience and ensures students have opportunities to engage before, during and after the game.”
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This article was originally published in Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Update on Student Section of Future Arena Plan
